Pre-Physician Assistant Track at Hope College

Do I need to shadow or know the PA profession?

Almost all PA admissions committees want
to see that a student has learned about the PA profession through first-hand
experience - usually called "direct patient contact hours." All PA programs require a certain number of hours of direct patient contact but all of the PA programs vary widely on the number of hours. Some programs require >1000 hours of experience and others only require approximately 100 hours. To gain sufficient patient-care experience, students generally find it most efficient to obtain Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and then work in a hospital or nursing home.

What about volunteering or extra-curricular activities?

PA admission committees
also look at a student's experiences for evidence that the student is
committed to serving and helping others; working on teams; possesses integrity, adaptability, reliability and ability to take feedback. They also expect that a student is able to work effectively
with people from diverse backgrounds. It's up to you to demonstrate these attributes!

Where do I look to learn more about PA schools?

Specific admissions requirements for each PA program can be found on
the website for that institution. Some key web links for information are
the following: